Assessment and reporting in Dance

Schools are required to submit to NESA a grade for each student based on their achievement at the end of the course.

Teachers use professional, on-balance judgement to allocate grades based on the Common Grade Scale for Preliminary courses.

Teachers consider all available assessment information, including formal and informal assessment, to determine the grade that best matches each student’s achievement at the end of the course.

See ACE (Assessment, Certification and Examination rules and requirements) for further information.

Assessment programs must reflect course components and weightings

The course components and component weightings for Year 11 are mandatory.

Schools may determine specific elements of their assessment program

Schools have authority to determine the number, type of task and the weighting allocated to an assessment task. Schools may also follow the sample assessment programs provided by NESA.

Sample assessment program

NESA’s sample Year 11 formal school-based assessment program for Dance includes:

• 3 assessment tasks, including:
  • a formal written exam.

The recommended weighting for any individual task is 20% to 40%.

NESA requires schools to submit a school-based assessment mark for each Year 12 candidate in a course. Formal school-based assessment tasks should reflect the syllabus outcomes and content. The mark submitted by the school provides a summation of each student’s achievement measured at several points throughout the course.

A school’s program of school-based assessment includes both mandatory and non-mandatory elements.

See ACE (Assessment, Certification and Examination rules and requirements) for further information.

Assessment programs must reflect course components and weightings

The course components and component weightings for Year 12 are mandatory.

Schools may determine specific elements of their assessment program

Schools have authority to determine the number, type of task and the weighting allocated to an assessment task. Schools may also follow the sample assessment programs provided by NESA.

Sample assessment program

NESA’s sample Year 12 formal school-based assessment program for Dance includes:

• 4 assessment tasks, including:
  • a minimum weighting for an individual task of 10%
  • a maximum weighting for an individual task of 40%
  • one task that is a formal written exam with a maximum weighting of 30%.

Formal written exam

This task may assess a broad range of course content and outcomes. Schools may choose to replicate the timing and structure of the HSC exam.

If a school includes the development of the externally assessed practical exams in conjunction with the written paper, the combined weighting of the tasks should not exceed 30%.

Use of the process diary

Each student is required to keep a process diary of the development of all practical core and major study components. Schools will use the process diary as evidence of student progress and authorship of student work as it develops over time. The process diary should be assessed as part of the school assessment mark.

Teachers must regularly date and sign process diaries. The process diary is not part of the external exam mark.

The process diary is a personal student record and can include:

• observations, research and use of safe dance practices
• development of work(s)
• reflections on and accounts of decisions made
• solutions, problems and evaluations

Schools are reminded that when assessing the development of core and elective Performance, Composition, and Dance and Technology works, appropriate school-based marking guidelines should be developed. Use of the external HSC marking guidelines is not appropriate.

Written Paper – Core Appreciation (20 marks)

Time allowed: 1 hour plus 5 minutes reading time.

• There will be 2 extended response questions.
• Each question will be worth 10 marks.
• Each question will have an expected length of response of around 3 pages of an exam writing booklet (approximately 400 words).

Practical Exam – Core Performance (20 marks)

Candidates will present a solo dance of between 3–5 minutes duration based on Dance Technique. At the conclusion of the performance, an examiner-guided interview will take place in which candidates can orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of performance.

Practical Exam – Core Composition (20 marks)

Candidates will choreograph a solo dance of between 3–5 minutes duration to be performed by another student from the school who is not the choreographer, and submit a 300-word rationale for their composition. Candidates will have the opportunity to elaborate on their rationale and orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the compositional process.

Major Study – Appreciation (Written Paper)

This paper should only be attempted by candidates who have nominated Appreciation as their major study.

Time allowed: 1 hour and 15 minutes plus 5 minutes reading time.

• There will be 3 extended response questions.
• 2 extended response questions will each be worth 10 marks. Each question will have an expected length of response of around 3 pages of an exam writing booklet (approximately 400 words).
• 1 extended response question will be worth 20 marks, with an expected length of response of around 6 pages of an exam writing booklet (approximately 800 words).

Major Study – Performance (Practical Exam)

This exam should only be attempted by candidates who have nominated Performance as their major study.

Candidates will present a solo ‘Work’ of between 4–6 minutes duration that will be different from that presented for the Core Performance. At the conclusion of the performance, an examiner-guided interview will take place in which candidates can orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of performance.

Major Study – Composition (Practical Exam)

This exam should only be attempted by candidates who have nominated Composition as their major study.

Candidates will choreograph a ‘Work’ of between 4–6 minutes duration for 2 to 3 dancers, and submit a 300-word rationale for their composition. Candidates will have the opportunity to elaborate on their rationale and orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the compositional process.

Major Study – Dance and Technology (Individual Project)

This project should only be attempted by candidates who have nominated Dance and Technology as their major study. Candidates will be required to choose ONE option.

Option 1: Choreographing the Virtual Body

Candidates will create and choreograph a ‘Work’ of between 4–6 minutes duration for 2 to 3 dancers using computer-based animation software. Candidates will present the virtual choreography, and submit a 300-word rationale for their project. Candidates will have the opportunity to elaborate on their rationale and orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the compositional process.

Option 2: Film and Video

Candidates will create and choreograph a ‘Work’ of between 4–6 minutes duration for 2 to 3 dancers. Candidates will film and edit the ‘Work’, present the filmed and edited choreographed ‘Work’, and submit a 300-word rationale for their project. Candidates will have the opportunity to elaborate on their rationale and orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the compositional process.

Candidates are not to perform in their film/video as this Major-Study option is focused on the candidate’s work behind the camera.

The candidate will present a solo dance of between 3–5 minutes duration based on Dance Technique.

The exam for Core Performance is conducted in the following sequence:

• performance of the dance (3–5 minutes)
• cool-down (1 minute)
• interview (up to 6 minutes).

After the performance of the dance, an examiner-guided interview will take place between the examiners and the candidate. In awarding marks for Core Performance, the examiners will take into account the skills and understanding demonstrated by the candidate both in the performance of the dance and in the interview. In the examiner-guided interview, the candidate responds to questions asked by the examiners, which provide the candidate with opportunities to orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of performance.

Marking criteria 1: Dance Technique incorporating Safe Dance Practice (12 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:

Dance Technique applied to the dance performed, and/or during the interview, within the context of the study of dance as an artform. The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding the:

• execution of body skills in the dance performed
• control of complex locomotor and non-locomotor sequences, relative to strength, flexibility, endurance and coordination
• application of the elements of dance to the performance of body skills.

Safe Dance Practice applied to the dance performed, and/or during the interview. The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• anatomical structure in relation to execution
• body awareness and limitations
• placement and control of alignment
• body maintenance.

Marking criteria 2: Performance Quality (8 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:

Performance Quality applied to the dance performed, and/or during the interview, within the context of the study of dance as an artform. The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• control and manipulation of the elements of dance as they relate to performance
• quality of line
• projection and focus
• commitment and consistency
• kinesthetic awareness.

The candidate choreographs a solo dance of between 3–5 minutes duration to be performed by another student from the school who is not the choreographer.

Candidates are required to submit a 300-word rationale. The rationale will be referred to by the examiners in the marking process to confirm the intent of the candidate's work.

The exam for Core Composition is conducted in the following sequence:

• rationale is presented to examiners
• reading of the rationale
• candidate enters the space
• elaboration (up to 6 minutes)
• performer enters the space
• performance of the choreographer solo dance (3–5 minutes).

Before the performance of the solo Composition Dance, the examiners are provided with a rationale that explains the concept/intent and the process of development of the Core Composition Dance.

After the examiners have read the rationale, they seek further detail or elaboration about the process of composition in relation to the candidate’s Core Composition Dance. This provides the candidate with opportunities to orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the compositional process.

In awarding marks for Core Composition, the examiners will take into account the skills and understanding demonstrated by the candidate in the rationale and the elaboration, and in the performance of the candidate’s composition. The skill of the dancer will neither advantage nor disadvantage the candidate as it is the compositional ideas and intent of the work that is being examined not its execution by the dancer.

Marking criteria 1: Generating and organizing movement (12 marks)

The candidate demonstrates in the dance and rationale the ability to compose movement in a personal style based on a concept/intent which is then organised into phrases within the context of the study of dance as an artform

1a. Generating movement in relation to dance composition based on a concept/intent (4 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they composes movement in a personal style based on the stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• manipulation of the elements of dance (space, time and dynamics)
• personal style

1b. Organising movement in relation to concept/intent (8 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they organise the motif(s) into phrases relative to the stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of space, time and dynamics to:

• establish motif(s)
• manipulate motif(s) to create phrases
• develop phrases to support a concept/intent.

Marking criteria 2: Dance structure (8 marks)

The candidate demonstrates in the dance and rationale the ability to organise the dance based on a concept/intent within the context of the study of dance as an artform.

The candidate will be assessed on how well they structure the dance in a form relevant to a stated concept/intent, within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• form/structure in relation to concept/intent
• organisation of the phrases/sequences/sections which achieves unity in relation to the concept/intent
• unity achieved through the use of transition, repetition and variation and contrast in relation to the concept/intent.

The candidate will present a solo ‘Work’ of between 4–6 minutes duration.

The ‘Work’ presented should be different from that presented for Core Performance.

The exam for Major Study – Performance is conducted in the following sequence:

• performance of the ‘Work’ (4–6 minutes)
• cool-down (2 minutes)
• interview (up to 9 minutes).

After the performance of the Work, an examiner-guided interview will take place between the examiners and the candidate. In awarding marks for Major Study – Performance, the examiners will take into account the skills and understanding demonstrated by the candidate both in the performance of the Work and in the interview. In the interview, the candidate responds to questions asked by the examiners, which provide the candidate with opportunities to orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding.

Marking criteria 1: Dance Technique incorporating Safe Dance Practice (20 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:

Dance technique applied to the Work performed and/or during the interview, within the context of the study of dance as an artform. The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• the execution of body skills in the Work performed
• the control of complex locomotor and non-locomotor sequences, relative to strength, flexibility, endurance and coordination
• the application of the elements of dance to the performance of body skills.

Safe Dance Practice applied to the Work performed and/or during the interview. The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• fundamental body mechanics
• anatomical structure in relation to execution
• body awareness and limitations
• placement and control of alignment
• body maintenance.

Marking criteria 2: Performance Quality (20 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they demonstrate performance quality applied to the Work performed and/or during the interview, within the context of the study of dance as an artform. The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• control and manipulation of the elements of dance as they relate to
  performance
• quality of line
• projection and focus
• commitment and consistency
• kinaesthetic awareness
• interpretation/intent related to a context
• the link between the accompaniment and the physical realisation of the Work
• the language of dance.

• The candidate choreographs a Work of between 4–6 minutes duration for 2 or 3 dancers.
• The Work is to be performed by students from the school.
• The candidate has the option to perform in the Work.
• The concept/intent of this work should not repeat the candidate's core composition concept.

Candidates are required to submit a 300-word rationale which will be referred to by examiners in the marking process to confirm the intent and process of the candidate's work.

The exam for Major Study – Composition is conducted in the following sequence:

• rationale is presented to examiners
• reading of the rationale
• candidate enters the space
• elaboration (up to 9 minutes)
• performers enter the space
• performance of the choreographed Work for 2 or 3 dancers (4–6 minutes).

Before the performance of the Composition Work, a rationale that explains the concept/intent and the process of development of the Major Study – Composition Work is presented to the examiners. After the examiners have read the rationale, they will seek further detail or elaboration about the process of composition in relation to the candidate’s Major Study – Composition Work. This provides the candidate with opportunities to orally and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the compositional process. In awarding marks for Major Study – Composition, the examiners will take into account the skills and understanding demonstrated by the candidate in the rationale and the elaboration, and through the performance of the candidate’s Composition Work. The skill of the dancers will neither advantage nor disadvantage the candidate as it is the compositional ideas and intent of the work that is being examined not its execution by the dancers.

Marking criteria 1: Choreographing and organizing movement (24 marks)

The candidate demonstrates the ability to choreograph and organise movement in a personal style based on a concept/intent, demonstrated in the Work and stated in the rationale, in conjunction with additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work, within the context of the study of dance as an artform.

1a. Generating movement in relation to dance composition for 2 or 3 dancers based on a stated concept/intent (8 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they compose movement for 2 or 3 dancers in a personal style based on the stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• manipulation of the elements of dance (space, time and dynamics) for 2 or 3 dancers
• personal style

1b. Organising movement for 2 or 3 dancers in relation to a stated concept/intent (16 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they organise the motif into phrases for 2 or 3 dancers relative to a stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of the manipulation of space, time and dynamics to:

• establish motif(s)
• manipulate motif(s) to create phrases
• develop phrases to support a concept/intent.

Marking criteria 2: Dance structure (16 marks)

Organising the Work for 2 or 3 dancers in relation to a concept/intent demonstrated in the Work and stated in the rationale, in conjunction with additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work, within the context of the study of dance as an artform.

The candidate will be assessed on how well they structure the Work for 2 or 3 dancers in a form relevant to the stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• form/structure in relation to concept/intent
• organisation of the phrases/sequences/sections which achieves unity in relation to a concept/intent
• unity achieved through the use of transition, repetition, variation and contrast in relation to the concept/intent.

Additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work include:

• simple and appropriate costumes and/or props for 2 or 3 dancers
• appropriate choice of accompaniment/non-accompaniment.

Presentation of a choreographed Work using 3D animation software.

• The candidate will create a Work of between 4–6 minutes duration for 2 or 3 dancers using computer-based 3D animation of software.
• The candidate will present the virtual choreography on a suitable laptop that supports the relevant software. The laptop is to be provided by the candidate.
• The Work will be authenticated by the school and operated by the candidate under the direction of the examiners.
• A separate backup of the virtual choreography is strongly advised.

Candidates are required to present a 300-word rationale which will be referred to by examiners in the marking process to confirm the intent and process of the candidate's work.

The exam for Choreographing the Virtual Body is conducted in the following sequence:

• rationale is presented to examiners
• reading of the rationale
• candidate enters the space
• elaboration (up to 12 minutes)
• presentation of the Choreographed Virtual Work for 2 or 3 dancers (4–6 minutes).

Before the presentation of the Choreographed Virtual Work, a rationale that explains the concept/intent and the process of development of the Virtual Work is presented to the examiners. After the examiners have read the rationale, they will seek further detail or elaboration about the process of composition in relation to the candidate’s Virtual Work for 2 or 3 dancers. This provides the candidate with opportunities to demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the process of composition. In awarding marks for Choreographing the Virtual Body, the examiners will take into account the skills and understanding demonstrated by the candidate in the rationale and the elaboration, and in the presentation of the candidate’s Work.

Marking criteria 1: Choreographing virtual movement (24 marks)

The candidate demonstrates the ability to choreograph and organise virtual movement (relative to the selected 3D animation software) in a personal style based on a concept/intent, demonstrated in the Work and stated in the rationale, in conjunction with additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work, within the context of the study of dance as an artform.

1a. Generating movement in relation to dance composition for 2 or 3 virtual dancers relative to the selected 3D animation software, based on a concept/intent (8 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they compose movement for 2 or 3 virtual dancers in a personal style based on the stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• manipulation of the elements of dance (space, time and dynamics) for 2 or 3 virtual dancers
• personal style

1b. Organising movement for 2 or 3 virtual dancers relative to the selected 3D animation software, in relation to a stated concept/intent (16 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they organises the motif into phrases for 2 or 3 virtual dancers relative to the stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of the manipulation of space, time and dynamics to:

• establish motif(s)
• manipulate motif(s) to create phrases
• develop phrases to support a concept/intent.

Marking criteria 2: Organising virtual movement (16 marks)

Organising the Work for 2 or 3 virtual dancers (relative to the selected 3D animation software), in relation to a concept/intent demonstrated in the Work and stated in the rationale, in conjunction with additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work, within the context of the study of dance as an artform.

The candidate will be assessed on how well they structure the Work for 2 or 3 virtual dancers in a form relevant to the stated concept/intent, within the context of dance as an artform. The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• form/structure in relation to concept/intent
• organisation of the phrases/sequences/sections which achieves unity in relation to the concept/intent
• unity achieved through the use of transition, repetition, variation and contrast in relation to the concept/intent.

Additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work include:

• simple and appropriate setting, costumes and/or props for 2 or 3 virtual dancers
• appropriate choice of accompaniment/non-accompaniment.

Presentation of a choreographed, filmed and edited Work.

• The candidate will choreograph a Work for 2 or 3 dancers. The candidate will film, edit and submit the Work.
• The candidate must be the choreographer, camera operator and editor.
• The candidate may not perform in the Work.
• The Work is to be performed by students from the candidate's school.
• The edited video must be between 4–6 minutes duration.
• Schools are responsible for screening the Work in the exam space.
• Schools should thoroughly test and ensure that the screening can occur effectively and efficiently.

Candidates are required to present a 300-word rationale which will be referred to by examiners in the marking process to confirm the intent and process of the candidate's work.

The exam for Film and Video is conducted in the following sequence:

• rationale is presented to examiners
• reading of the rationale
• candidate enters the space
• elaboration (up to 12 minutes)
• presentation of the choreographed, filmed and edited Work for 2 or 3 dancers (4–6 minutes).

Before the presentation of the Major Study – Film and Video, a rationale that explains the concept/intent and the process of development of the Film/Video is presented to the examiners. After the examiners have read the rationale, they will also seek further detail or elaboration about the process of composition in relation to the candidate’s film/video for 2 or 3 dancers. This provides the candidate with opportunities to demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the process of composition. In awarding marks for Film and Video, the examiners will take into account the skills and understanding demonstrated by the candidate in the rationale and the elaboration, and in the presentation of the candidate’s Work.

Marking criteria 1: Composing and organizing film movement (24 marks)

The candidate demonstrates the ability to compose, organise and film movement in a personal style based on a concept/intent, demonstrated in the Work and stated in the rationale, in conjunction with additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work, within the context of the study of dance as an artform .

1a. Generating movement in relation to dance composition for 2 or 3 dancers based on a concept/intent in a film medium (8 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they compose movement for 2 or 3 dancers in a personal style based on the stated concept/intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• manipulation of the elements of dance (space, time and dynamics) for 2 or 3 dancers
• personal style

1b. Organising and filming movement for 2 or 3 dancers in relation to a stated concept/intent, in the film medium (16 marks)

The candidate will be assessed on how well they organises the motif into phrases for 2 or 3 virtual dancers relative to the stated concept/ intent within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of the manipulation of space, time and dynamics to:

• establish motif(s)
• manipulate motif(s) to create phrases
• develop phrases to support a concept/intent.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of film and video techniques:

• focus, zoom, framing, fade, tilt and pan
• point of view, angle, height and range of shot
• manipulating camera movement.

Marking criteria 2: Organising and editing (16 marks)

Organising and editing the Work for 2 or 3 dancers in relation to a concept/intent demonstrated in the Work and stated in the rationale, in conjunction with additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work, within the context of the study of dance as an artform in the film medium.

The candidate will be assessed on how well they structure the Work for 2 or 3 dancers through editing techniques in a form relevant to a stated concept/intent, within the context of dance as an artform.

The candidate demonstrates skills and understanding of:

• editing techniques
• form/structure in relation to concept/intent
• organisation of the phrases/sequences/sections in relation to the concept/intent
• unity achieved through the use of transition, repetition, variation and contrast in relation to the concept/intent.

Additional considerations that may arise from the intent of the Work include:

• manipulating simple and appropriate setting, costumes and/or props for 2 or 3 dancers
• appropriate choice of accompaniment/non-accompaniment.

The process diary for Core Performance is to include observations, research and Safe Dance Practices relating to the dance.

The process diary for Core Composition is to include intentions and motivations, research undertaken, decisions made, solutions to problems and evaluation relative to the intent of the solo Dance.

The process diary for Major Study – Performance is to include observations, research and practices relating to the characteristics of the major study Work, within the context of dance as an artform.

The process diary for Major Study – Composition is to include intentions and motivations, research undertaken, the processes of the art and craft of choreography, decisions made, solutions to problems and evaluation relative to the intent of the choreographed Work.

Dance and Technology Option 1: Choreographing the Virtual Body

The process diary for Choreographing the Virtual Body is to include the research related to the possibilities of the software, practice of the compositional process relative to the intent of the virtual choreography, ideas and approaches used, decisions made and solutions to problems, personal reflections and evaluations, notations of movement ideas and sequences, the design of visual elements, and specific elements of 3D animation relative to the compositional process.

Dance and Technology Option 2: Film and Video

The process diary for Film and Video is to include the research and practice of the compositional process relative to the intent of the choreography, ideas and approaches used, decisions made and solutions to problems, personal reflections and evaluations, storyboarding, shooting schedule, and post-production editing script.

The Core Composition requires the candidate to choreograph a solo Dance of 3–5 minutes duration to be performed by another student from the school who is not the choreographer.

The Major Study – Composition requires the candidate to choreograph a Dance work of 4–­6 minutes duration to be performed by students (2 or 3 dancers) from the school. The candidate has the option to perform in the work.

The Major Study – Film and Video requires the candidate to choreograph a Dance work of 4–6 minutes duration to be performed by students (2 or 3 dancers) from the school. The candidate may not perform in the work.

To request variations to these course requirements, the principal must write to:

Dance Coordinator
Exams Operations NESA
Email: hscpracticals@nesa.nsw.edu.au

The email should outline the reasons why the school/candidate is seeking approval from NESA for a change to course requirements. It must be signed by the principal.

All accompaniment used in Core and Major Study Performance and Composition should contain only the accompaniment to be used, with a separate track for each component of the exam. It may be recorded and played on a digital device (eg MP3 player, phone, tablet, laptop, etc) or on a CD.

The recording must:

• be recorded to include any special consideration, such as silence
• conform to stated time limits
• be cued to start
• not be stopped and started during the exam.

Digital devices

If a digital device is used for playback in the exam, it must:

• be in flight mode and disconnected from the internet
• have an appropriate docking system/connection available in the exam room (itinerant centres only)
• be of good sound quality
• contain the accompaniment to be used in a separate folder/file for each exam component.

CDs

If CDs are used in the exam, they must:

• be of good sound quality
• contain only the accompaniment to be used – a separate CD must be provided for each component of the exam.

A separate CD as a backup is strongly advised.

For Core Performance and Composition

• Plain (colour and style) form-fitting dance wear (ie leotards, tights or unitard) must be worn.
• Costumes and the use of props are not permitted.
• Footwear must be appropriate to Dance Technique.
• The candidate accepts responsibility for choice of footwear.
• Hair tied back where necessary.
• No accessories.

For Major Study Performance and Composition

• Simple props and costumes that are integral to the performance are permitted.
• Footwear appropriate to the context of the Work. The candidate accepts responsibility for choice of footwear.

The use of make-up is optional and, if used, should be kept to a minimum and be integral to the dance.

The performance space will be:

• a minimum width of 8 metres to a maximum width of 10 metres
• a minimum depth of 6 metres to a maximum depth of 8 metres.

Schools must apply to NESA for a change to an exam venue that is not the candidate’s home school.

To request variation to the venue the principal must email:

Dance Coordinator 
Exams Operations NESA
Email: hscpracticals@nesa.nsw.edu.au

The email should outline the reasons why the school/candidate is seeking approval from NESA for a change to the exam venue. It must be signed by the principal.

Formal applications to NESA for Illness/Misadventure in relation to the Core Performance and Major Study Performance cannot be made until the HSC performance date. For internal school assessment teachers should follow individual school policy and guidelines.

Dance students who are injured during the Preliminary Course where the injury is considered long term should not consider Dance as an HSC course if they are unable to meet the course requirements for performance.

Information regarding the provision of the Stage 6 Dance Preliminary Course and HSC Course with external tutors is available on the NESA ACE site:

• ACE 13.7 Study with an outside tutor
• ACE 13.4 External provider.